What began as a Southern tradition is spreading across the U.S. rather rapidly thanks to Food Network’s Ace of Cakes and TLC’s Cake Boss. More and more brides and grooms are adapting this tradition and putting their unique personalities into the mix. The groom’s cake actually started as a fruitcake and was decorated with marzipan and placed besides the bride’s cake. This small square or rectangular cake was not normally eaten at the reception, but rather packaged up and taken home as a treat from the bride and groom. An old-wives tale is also wrapped up in this tradition: If a single woman slept with the small piece of cake under their pillow, they would apparently dream of their future husband. Who know if that superstition is true!

In recent years, these cakes have transformed from the bland fruitcake to more popular flavors and have a true spotlight in the wedding! Many grooms are opting for chocolate cake for the groom’s cake since the bride’s cake is normally white cake with some sort of flavoring. This cake can be any flavor that the groom desires and we’ve seen it all! Chocolate, marble, carrot, red velvet and even an ice cream cake have made it into our venue. With so many creative bakers in San Antonio, the options are endless!

Now, you have two options when serving the groom’s cake. It can be served at the rehearsal dinner or at the reception. If serving it at the wedding, make sure to opt for a different flavor from the bride’s cake to give your guests options. Also, the groom’s cake does not need to feed all of your guests, but there aren’t normally leftovers!

As far as the design or theme of the cake, let your groom’s imagination run wild or surprise him with something you think he’ll like. Think about his occupation, hobbies, interests or favorite sports teams as a starting off point and then lean on your baker for ideas of what to do with this idea. We really have had some amazing and totally unique groom’s cakes here at Plaza Lecea, from a replica of a Costco store, to military branches, music instruments or a fav band to poker-themed ones and the ever popular sports team cake.  

Getting your groom to help out with your place cards and seating arrangements may not be his cup of tea (or beer), but getting him involved with the registry is one thing he is sure to enjoy. There is just something about that scan gun that attracts the male species and you both get a chance to pick out your dream gifts that you’ll be using for most of your married life!  Registries tell your friends and family what you need and want and takes the work out of searching for that perfect gift.  

What to Register for:

You can register for almost anything!  The main items are kitchen utensils, appliances, bathroom necessities, tools and décor. Many of the main places you might register at have a guide that can help you with the things you need. Here is a great guide from Target.com broken down into different categories: http://bit.ly/9M4qZu. Now-a-days, nothing is off limits as something you can register for.   You just need to remember you are trying to come up with things that are affordable, you want or need, and fit what you want your home to look and feel like. Don’t be surprised if you find a random Snickers bar or even that 60” TV listed on the registry too—the great thing about registering at chain retail stores is that they allow you to edit your registry online as well!

Where to Register:                                    

It is okay to go to more than one place to register; this gives your guests options.  You need to think about your guests when deciding on places to register.  Think of the price range that most of your guests would be able to pay and pick your place accordingly.  If you have a mixture of price ranges, go with somewhere like William Sonoma for your higher end items and then pick somewhere like Bed Bath and Beyond for your more reasonably priced items so that way no one feels left out. If you decide to go with only one place, then make sure you pick items you will use in all price ranges. Note, even if you think there is no way any of your guest would buy something like that for you, you may be surprised so put it on the list anyway. Plus for the brides in a time crunch, completing your registry online gives you the opportunity to figure out what you want to get whenever you are available to do so! It’s unfortunate that Crate & Barrel isn’t open 24 hours when you are planning your wedding—so inconsiderate!  

Here is a list of our fav stores and price points:   

• William and Sonoma: $$$
• Crate and Barrel: $$$
• Pottery Barn: $$$
• Macy’s, Dillard’s, etc: $$+
• Bed, Bath, and Beyond: $$
• Target: $+
• Sears: $+
• Home Depot/Lowes: $$
  • If you are building a new house to move into together this is a great option.  You never know if you will need a ceiling fan or blinds.

There are many places you can register beyond the list we’ve provided so think about your fav retailers! When you get there let them know what you are there to do and the company will have someone to help you get started. Recently, they have started giving you cards to put in the invitations to say where you are registered and many stores give you a completion coupon as well. Check with your retailer about special offers on items that were left on the registry and they often give you 10% off that item!

Until next time, happy planning!

You might not know this, but we host all sorts of events here at Plaza Lecea. From proms to weddings and those meetings in between, we have a knack for creating the perfect environment for your next event. One of our favorite types of events is a baby shower! We’ve had so many baby showers here in the past year that we’d love to share a couple of our favorite themes!

For girls: Sugar & Spice! We love this theme the most because all of the fun activities that the hostess can provide for the guests and mommy-to-be! You can truly incorporate any color scheme with this theme. Try having a candy bar for your guests to represent the sugar part–or even a cupcake bar where guests can personalize their cupcakes and mommy-to-be can judge the winner. For the “spice” part, flavor different teas so that guests can have a taste of something different, or pass out spiced teas as favors. Even do mini candy bars at each table as a centerpiece (two to three vases filled with candy) or incorporate large lollipops into a floral centerpiece to further the theme.

For boys: Rockstar! A little outside the box, but completely fun for the mommy-to-be that doesn’t want a cutesy shower. Again, colors options are endless but the most common colors are blacks, gold, silvers and reds. Beginning with backstage passes as invitations will set the tone for this fun event. Try renting a red carpet or silver disco ball to hang in the center of the room. Place a “set list” out so that guests can see what the plans for the event on the table or in a central location so that everyone can see it. You can have mini grammys as awards for the games that you play and label the tables as “Rockstars”, “Groupies”, “Roadies”, “#1 Fans”,   or by instruments: “Bad-a** Bassists”, “Lead Guitarists”,  ”Deadly Drummers”, etc. For a fun game idea, come up with rock songs that have Baby in the title and make people name that tune and make sure you have some Rockstar beverages available for your guests as an added fun touch!

For twins: Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat has the best inspiration that we’ve seen so far: Thing 1 and Thing 2. Just perfect for a twins shower! With a red, aqua (or tiffany blue) and white color pallatte, this theme can come to life! Think goldfish centerpieces (very cheap to get at your neighborhood Walmart or pet’s store) or bright Gerber Daisy’s in red or dyed blue (they also have the silk ones so you dont have to worry about dying anything). Even stacking Dr. Seuss books could make for a fun centerpiece and they can always be found for a discounted price at Half-Priced books. Think props too! Fun Cat in the Hat hats around the cake area and pop ups can be found easily. Have guests sign the inside of a Cat in the Hat book as the sign in book.

We offer great rates for Sunday day-time events! Call us at 210.615.0009 for details!

We just have to thank Caitin from Caitlin’s Creations for the beautiful montages we now have from a few of our past events. She has shot three weddings her in the past year and each of the montages expresses her incredible talents. We absolutely adore the sunset views she was able to capture, as well as the shots on and from the stairs. Simply stunning work! Check out her website for more info and photos: http://www.ccportraitdesign.com/